As the adrenaline rush reaches fever pitch, the NASCAR community eagerly anticipates the third race of the Cup and Xfinity Series season, which is slated to take place on a newly fashioned track. The Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a venue that has been hosting NASCAR races since 2021, is all set to host the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on its revamped layout. The new 2.3-mile, 20-turn national course is not just a battlefield for securing a playoff spot but also an arena for earning bragging rights at this iconic venue.
Kyle Petty, former Coca-Cola 600 champion, is all for the track’s recent alterations. The 64-year-old racing veteran is keen on experiencing authentic stock car racing at COTA, despite the apprehensions surrounding the so-called ‘calamity corner’.
The redesigned COTA could very well be an unpredictable factor. During the off-season, COTA unveiled its new blueprint for NASCAR, marking a significant departure from its conventional 3.41-mile track. The shortened venue implies the upcoming Cup Series race will include an extra 27 laps to compensate for the reduced track length. The race is predicted to be a thrilling spectacle, featuring sharp turns, some approaching a near 90-degree angle.
Turn 6A, already dubbed the ‘calamity corner,’ is predicted to be a potential hotspot for several mishaps over the course of the race weekend. Its design is reminiscent of a Formula 1 hairpin bend.
Kyle Petty shared his enthusiasm for COTA’s modifications with PRN Live, saying, “To get to go to a racetrack where they’ve changed the configuration, it changes the way you race. By taking a mile off of it, it changes the strategy. It changes so much of what the race is. So, this is like they’re going to COTA for the very first time in a lot of ways.”
The new COTA layout is expected to offer a different dynamic for drivers compared to Daytona or Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ross Chastain, a previous road course winner, had the chance to test drive the new layout through an iRacing simulation. The Trackhouse Racing star was visibly thrilled and said, “It’s going to be like basically going to a new track, a new town, new area.”
The 2025 NASCAR season has already exceeded expectations. The first two races offered plenty of drama, action, controversy, and unexpected twists, keeping fans on their toes. The renovated COTA promises to deliver a similar experience, and depending on the outcome of the Cup and Xfinity Series races, it could become a new fan favorite.
Speedway Motorsports president and CEO Marcus Smith weighed in on the COTA changes, highlighting NASCAR’s aim to create a sense of urgency by reducing the length of the Circuit of The Americas. The decision was made to cater to the increasing demand for action-packed races and shorter attention spans. Smith believes that the new layout will make for a great race experience by offering more laps, more action, and reduced lap times.
While the new format may seem like a step in the right direction, the true test will be the race itself. Despite the reduction, racers like Shane van Gisbergen are open to the change. The Kiwi, who enjoyed competing on the previous 3.41-mile course, understands the reasoning behind the shortening. He mentioned, “I did like the long track, but I see why they shortened it. More time past the stands and more action.”
The revamped COTA has certainly stirred the pot in the NASCAR community. As the drivers prepare to take on the new challenge, fans wait with bated breath to see how the races unfold on this altered track.
